I needed to eat beforehand, so we agreed to meet at The Garden Bar, just up the road. We thought it might be better to book a table, being a Friday night, so I did that. And then had to take the Tube, for a journey this far. Arrived just before he did, and early for the booking - and then got a little lost. My internet reception isn't the best in West London, anyway. I'd just spotted the place, and was making my way back to the station, where there is a zebra crossing, when he came out, lugging a guitar, and completely oblivious to me.. so I got to shadow him the short distance to the bar. When I finally got his attention, we agreed to sit in the (covered) area outside, since he wanted to smoke. It wasn't busy at all.
Ended up eating out there too, which turned out to be a good decision, as the bar became really noisy. They happily bring food out to you, giving you a canister that contains your cutlery and napkins, and has a number painted on the side to identify you. I had the chicken katsu curry - well, we'd had an all-hands at lunchtime, where we always get pizza, so I hadn't had my usual chicken katsu lunch! And it was fine - although not reaching the dizzy heights of my usual Wasabi. Hey-ho, we had a fine time there, until I'd finished and it was time to head - our booking at the studio was at 10pm.
He led the way, of course - just as well, as I'd have been massively confused. Pirate Studios doesn't seem to advertise its presence, the entrance being through a courtyard lined by graffiti-covered walls. An access code, sent to you when you book online, gets you through the outside door - there are several, in numbered arches. Carry on down the corridor until you get to the room number you need, passing toilets, and a self-service area with a microwave, small fridge, and sink. Another code gets you into the room. Tip: if the keypad flashes red, you've done something wrong - start again when the light goes off. If it flashes blue, you're in! Took me a few tries to get it right.
Inside, there's a (very low) leather sofa, a couple of slightly ratty leather swivel chairs, a desk with equipment. He'd thoughtfully brought his laptop, so we got to have music played for us without doing it ourselves, and there was a keyboard - the cable they'd supplied wasn't very good, so he called for a replacement. We'd stopped off to buy supplies on the way, and yeah, it was a late one - our booking was for 10 hours, so we blearily exited at 8am, into drizzle. They were in no hurry to kick us out - no-one had booked after us. And yes, it was - as I remarked to him - a Very Good Plan. Great to catch up, and roll on the next one.
Now, yesterday, I first booked with Best Authentic Walking Tours in London, for a Royal Maritime Greenwich Ghost Tour. This is - as with all their walks - with Funzing, so I can get a refund up to 48 hours beforehand. Which I knew I'd probably do (have, in fact, done for this twice already), as I might have gone to a film that day - depending what was on - or, if I didn't like the offerings, Love London Theatre, Arts, Music & Stuff was off to Blood Wedding, a new adaptation of the Lorca play, at the Young Vic. But that since sold out - was bound to happen. Well, I finally did come up with an alternative that made me cancel the ghost tour - another ghost tour! specifically, of the British Museum, with Spooky London (SL). I mean, technically I could probably have gone to both - I just couldn't be bothered rushing the first to traipse all the way out to Greenwich, for an event that wouldn't be at all sociable! Might get on that walk some day.
Ivan wanted to watch the match, I wanted to get home to bed. So we parted, and heading hone in pouring rain, I managed to squeeze in a much-needed few hours' sleep, before taking the bus to the museum - in plenty of time, I know what those entrance queues are like at the weekend. Curiously, I later heard that the queue at the rear entrance was as bad, yesterday! Took me about 15 minutes, and I took a seat near the information desk, where we'd been told to meet - I seemed to be the first there, of the group, although I didn't really know the others coming, so not sure about that.
When it was getting close to time, with still no sign of anyone, I posted a message asking whether anyone else was there - which turned out to have been a good thing, as one of the group was in the queue - a lot longer than she'd expected, and thinking about bailing, until she read that. It took a while more for the organiser, in black baseball cap (as advertised) to show, from which point at least I knew I was in the right place. The others dribbled along slowly - everyone was having problems with the queue, and as the organiser remarked, it was a good thing that the tour guide was also delayed, as it gave the others some more time to get there. We paid on the spot, and got business cards for the organiser's website -Spooky Isles - as a receipt, which is a cool marketing idea. It must have been 15 minutes after scheduled start time that we headed off. Glad, with the weather, that this walking tour was indoors.
The personable guide turns out to be working on a book about the ghostly goings-on at the museum - read more here. And our tour, let me say from the outset, is fascinating - but then, it's fantastic to get any kind of intro to the museum; entering it on your own is an intimidating prospect, just due to the sheer size of the collection. I hadn't actually realised that the British Library was also housed here, until it moved to its new location. Never mind the additional ghost stories, the objects themselves are incredible, and it's lovely to focus on particular items - like, for example, this mechanical ship, designed to announce the start of a banquet; the detail is amazing.
But the accompanying stories of the supernatural lend an extra layer to what we were looking at. This same ship, for instance, came up in some tourist photos with a strange reflection - perhaps a ghost from the time of its making..?
Much of the tour centres on the Egyptian galleries - I guess, perhaps, many of these artefacts have a more potent association with the supernatural, having been revered originally as religious icons. Seems the museum also has some trouble with people wanting to revere them in the present day.. the above statues of Sekhmet apparently get quite a lot of attention. Some activity on the supernatural plane, too. But what was interesting to me was the oft-repeated reminder that a lot of artefacts are in storage, never to see the light of day.. and the energies associated with them are, well, stewing in the basement, where the items are stored. Now, there's a thought..
We spend some time in the African galleries, too. (Hint: I wouldn't get too chummy with that double-headed dog.) Lots of climbing up and down stairs means plenty of exercise - you can, of course, take the lift, but that means potentially losing the group. Which I did, briefly. Easily done, in such a huge place, with so many ways in and out. What the hey, I found them again, and was glad I did. Excellent tour, with plenty to entertain and inform.
Afterwards, just across the road to the Museum Tavern, where we - quite amazingly - got a space to sit, right by the door! They do pack the tables in here, mind. Funnily enough, I thought I'd never been here - had completely forgotten the one other time, at the end of a London Literary Walk. In my defence, it was over two years ago, and I was sat at the other end..! As on that occasion, I ordered food - had hunter's chicken, which was delicious. Except for the thick slice of gammon that they'd popped in the middle of the chicken - which is a shame, because I like gammon - but this was undercooked and inedible.
The chat was good, and I stayed as long as there were people left to chat to - the tour guide stayed too, and dropped us more snippets, about things that happen in the storage areas of the museum. One lady left early, to head to the fireworks at Battersea Park - she'd been before, and proclaimed it one of the best displays in town. I didn't contribute a huge amount to the conversation - I was really fading by now, and indeed, a sore throat was fast coming on; I was as hoarse as a crow by the end of the night. Never mind, it was worth coming out - I do like this group, and will meet them when I can. And yes, I would have had to leave early if I'd been going to the other walk, so just as well I didn't.
My bus arrived in perfect time. Straight home to bed then, and a lovely, long, indulgent sleep. Today, of course (usually the reason for a lack of preview), is film - and it's looking like the hugely popular Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the title character, in an imagination of how the twisted psychopath of the Batman stories came to be. Also stars Robert de Niro. Delighted to be seeing the one everyone's talking about. Closest showing is in the Barbican - nice n close, and not apparently selling out, as it's been out for a little while now. And I'm rather glad not be socialising, so I can rest my throat.
Tomorrow, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at Sadler's Wells, for a Rambert2 double bill - the first of two performances.
On Tuesday, I'm going to the comedy The Man in the White Suit, at Wyndham's. Stars Stephen Mangan as the chemist who develops a material that never gets dirty! and finds himself suddenly in huge demand.
On Wednesday, back with UITCS for The Antipodes, at the National - a play about stories and storytelling, sounds irresistible. Mixed reviews, I hear, but I can hardly miss this.
On Thursday, back with SL for their monthly drinks - and Ivan, who has business in the City that day, has expressed an interest in coming. This month, it's in the Prospect of Whitby. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.
And on the 11th, I'm back with UITCS (as always!) for a night of comedy with Sara Pascoe, at the Backyard Comedy Club.
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